Take precautions, protect your belongings during the winter months

The three items most often stolen from boats over the winter are electronics, outboards and outdrives, according to Boat US, the boat owners organization that keeps tabs on such things. Personal watercraft are the most frequently stolen boats, the group said.

While you may think your boat is safely stored for the winter, out of sight until spring, it may be a tempting target for thieves. Many boaters won’t discover the items missing until the wraps come off in spring, when the items are long gone.

Take your electronics home for the winter, Boat US advises, but if they are permanently mounted, note the model and serial number, and take photos to help in possible recovery or insurance claims. Remove small outboards and store them in a safe place. Be sure larger ones are securely locked.

Outdrive units should be removed and safely stored, or at least serial numbers should be recorded and an outdrive lock installed.

Ideally, if your boat is stored at a marina, there will be fencing and security measures. For trailer storage at home, have the trailer tongue facing away from the street. Block up the trailer and remove the tires, Boat US advises.

Put personalized markings on gear you think vulnerable to theft. This will make it tougher to “fence” and easier to identify. If you have a dinghy, make sure it is secured in a safe place.

Leaving on a “for sale” sign invites attention, and it may be attention of the wrong kind.

Small toothy beasts, squirrels and raccoons, for example, can make themselves very comfortable in your boat and do damage.

Make sure winter covers are secure.

Also, visit your boat regularly, just to make sure all is well, Boat US suggests. I do that anyway. I like my boat.

NJYRA meeting

The North Jersey Yacht Racing Association holds its annual meeting Sunday at the Monmouth Boat Club in Red Bank at 3 p.m. Awards will be presented, and a panel discussion on high school competitive sailing is planned. The NJYRA (njyra.org) is the umbrella group for 24 area boat clubs.
College sailing

The University of Pennsylvania beat 17 other teams to win the Midatlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association club championship hosted by Ocean County College last Saturday and Sunday.

New Jersey teams made a strong showing, with Stevens Institute fourth, Monmouth University fifth and Ocean County sixth.

At some colleges the sailing teams have varsity status while at others they are considered clubs. They mostly compete together, but the weekend’s event was for club teams.

Waterfront access

The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, a coalition of organizations promoting access to the New York and North Jersey waterfront, holds a daylong conference Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Location is the National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, in Manhattan.

To register and see a list of the various panel discussions scheduled for the day go to waterfrontalliance.org.

Please e-mail items of interest to this column to czusman@starledger.com. Check Charles Zusman’s blog at blog.nj.com/boating